CK.621.35North Carolina Collection Gallery, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Physical Description:

WINTER SERVICE COAT, United States Army, 1917-1918; wool blend, high collar, dual chest pockets and dual waist pockets with eagle-crest brass buttons, five buttons on center and one button on either shoulder, also lieutenant's bar on outer shoulders, no army or branch insignia on collar, an original hollow-cut wool felt "Wildcat" Division patch on upper-left sleeve, single chevron on left sleeve, single [lieutenant's] braid above both cuffs; no label or markings inside collar; overall in very good condition, some moth damage in various locations, most notably at bottom of left waist pocket and behind collar and left shoulder.

There are four original 81st Divison "Wildcat" patches in the Umstead Collection. Two are attached to clothing; two are unattached. For a more detailed view of the "Wildcat" Patch shown on this coat, refer to the image of Lieutenant Umstead's overseas cap. The chevron on the lower left sleeve denotes service time. Umstead's tour in Europe formerly began in August, 1918, when his battalion landed in England, and continued until his return to the United States in late March, 1919.

Funding from the State Library of North Carolina supported the electronic publication of this title.